Gent ICC - Ghent

Theresa S.

I’m not here at the Gent ICC as a regular conference participant - I’m simply the plus-one of someone attending. Based on all the conferences and venues I’ve visited throughout my career, this convention center falls at the bottom of my list. I’m genuinely surprised, because everything else I’ve experienced in Ghent has been beautiful, comfortable, quaint, clean, impressive, or some combination of all those qualities. This center is large, yes, but it is none of those things.

To begin with, there is virtually nowhere to sit. The décor feels as if the city forgot about this building a long time ago. The carpet is worn, torn, and noticeably dirty. There are no options for food, snacks, or drinks anywhere in the entire facility - not even vending. And because I’m not a registered member of the conference, I was not allowed access to a restroom. Staff would not permit a guest to step past the QR-code checkpoint even to use the bathroom. This is simply not acceptable for a public-facing venue of this size.

If you look at my other reviews, I can usually find something positive to say, and in this case I do have two positives:

1. The location is excellent - within easy walking distance of numerous cafés, parks, and places to sit while waiting for my travel partner.

2. The “bones” of the building appear solid. With a proper facelift - chairs and tables, basic concessions or vending, new carpeting, some artwork or décor - this place genuinely could be amazing.

Right now, though, it feels neglected and far below the standard one would expect in a city as Ghent. I hope the owners see the potential & invest in bringing this convention center to life!

Jakub G.

I recently had the pleasure of attending a conference at GENTICC organized by SMA Europe, focusing on neuromuscular disease. I must say, the conference center itself is exceptional, especially when it comes to accessibility. Navigating the building was effortless, thanks to its spacious layout and multiple elevators, as well as a thoughtfully designed ramp system that connects different levels. This attention to accessibility made a huge difference, as I could move around freely in my wheelchair without any issues.

The conference halls and presentation rooms are not only roomy but are also laid out with accessibility in mind, creating a comfortable experience for all attendees. This level of consideration truly enhances the overall atmosphere of the event and is a standout feature for anyone with mobility needs.

The only drawback I encountered was with the parking. Unfortunately, it seems there’s a policy restricting parking near the main entrance, which can be a challenge for those traveling with accessible vehicles who need easy access to the facility. While this may be due to logistical reasons, having parking closer to the entrance would improve the experience significantly for those with specific mobility needs.

Overall, GENT ICC is a fantastic venue with great accessibility features and a welcoming atmosphere. I hope they will address the parking situation to make the experience even more inclusive in the future.

Andras P.

Super good venue for the EFECS2024 Conference of the ChipsJU of the EU. Good and convenient auditoria, lots of common areas for networking...

T V.

Attended an industrial conference here. ICC provided a lot of space for all kinds of activities: large auditorium for the main talks with very good AV and comfortable seating, multiple break-away rooms, space for poster sessions. Very good wifi even with many people. Good food for light lunches as well as a walking dinner. Nicely working cloakroom.

Sverker B.

The auditorium was a fantastic auditorium, so to speak. Sound, sight etc. The building as a whole was quite cold (December). Ok but not impressive coffee (fika), perfectly fine lunch and walking dinner.

Tanveer H.

Very nice community hall. The interior is fabulous. Nice place to held some events.

Hans

The toilets were not cleaned properly/regularly enough, some were really disgusting. There was a cleaning person, but she obviously didn't do her job well.
Some of the toilets were also not functioning well anymore.

abeer M.

Great place to host an expo. Parking on premises is limited and entryways have broken bumps that topple carts and trolleys for people setting up at the events there. Also no airco for summer events.